For burial in a cemetery, most people choose a memorial tablet (grave marker) to honor their loved one’s final resting place. Because purchasing a memorial tablet is not something many people have experience with, it’s natural to have some confusion during the process, especially because there are so many options. Avoid rushing into making a decision about a marker, as you don’t want to face the inconvenience and expense of replacing it again in the future. These facts will make purchasing a grave marker easier.

Research the Rules of the Cemetery

All cemeteries have rules about what kinds of markers are allowed. Be sure you know the rules of the cemetery before you make any purchase decisions. Ask about the allowed dimensions, colors, and materials, so that you don’t inadvertently purchase a marker that cannot be used at the cemetery of your choice. In some cases, cemeteries offer markers of their own for sale, which can simplify the process of choosing one that meets the cemetery guidelines.

Weigh the Pros and Cons of the Materials

Memorial tablets come in a variety of materials, each with their own set of pros and cons. Bronze and granite tend to be the most popular choices, because they are extremely durable and can stand up to harsh weather conditions with minimal upkeep. Inglewood Park Cemetery allows only bronze and granite for these reasons. Crypt plates and niche plates are also available in bronze, or a combination of bronze and granite. In addition, some niche fronts can be engraved.

Consider Future Needs

If you are choosing a grave marker for a family estate, consider how additional grave markers will be added in the future. Consult one of our Family Service Counselors about design restrictions in your family estate area. Material, size and uniformity have been determined for optimum aesthetic and space considerations.

At Inglewood Park Cemetery, we offer a variety of memorial tablets, and we allow upright grave markets in portions of our cemetery in the Los Angeles area. We’re here to answer your questions about this important decision. Contact us today at (310) 412-6500 for more information.

Having a conversation with your loved ones about your final wishes isn’t easy, but it may end up being one of the most important conversations you have. By talking to your loved ones about these needs, you will alleviate the pressure they will face when you are gone to make decisions about what they think you would have wanted. Having a conversation now about everything from your preferences for burial or cremation to which cemetery you’d like to be your final resting place will ease the burden on your loved ones during an already difficult time. These tips will help you start the discussion.

Start with a Reassurance

In some cases, bringing up the issue of your final wishes may cause your loved ones to worry that you have reason to believe you could be approaching the end of your life. If these are not your circumstances, start your conversation by assuring your loved ones that you are being proactive and that there is no underlying reason for bringing up your final wishes. Addressing this concern head-on will allow your loved ones to focus on the conversation instead of their worries.

Think Before You Speak

Before you start a conversation, take time on your own to consider your wishes and make decisions. It can help to write down some important points, the name of the cemetery you have in mind or a song that you would like to be played at a memorial service. Knowing what you want when you start the conversation will help you get all of the important details across.

Talk About Financial Planning

This conversation is the perfect opportunity to discuss the financial side of honoring your wishes. If you’ve made the decision to invest in pre-need services with a cemetery, make sure your loved ones know where the paperwork is and which cemetery to contact.

Pre-need planning with Inglewood Park Cemetery can play an important role in discussing your final wishes with your family. By investing in pre-need cemetery or cremation services in the Los Angeles area, you can remove this financial burden from your loved ones. Contact us today at (310) 412-6500 to learn more.

When a family requests that you send donations to a charity rather than sending flowers to the cemetery or funeral home, you may still have a preference to send flowers. Is it ever acceptable to overlook the family’s wishes and send flowers instead?

Some people opt to both make a donation and send flowers, while others do choose to forgo the donation in favor of flowers. Although families are typically grateful for all of the gestures people make to support them in their grief, often, sending flowers after being specifically asked not to can cause more difficulties for the family. Often they are left with the task of finding places for and caring for the flowers, which for some people may serve more as a reminder of their grief than a comfort. If you wish to send flowers, consider waiting until a few weeks or more after the funeral and send a bouquet as reminder that the family is still in your thoughts. If you wish to include flowers for the grave or crypt-side, ask your florist to send them directly to the Cemetery. For your convenience, the Inglewood Park Flower Shop is just inside our Manchester Boulevard Gate. They can deliver them directly to the funeral home, or easily drive the arrangement right to the gravesite.

Inglewood Park Cemetery in the Los Angeles area offers complete cemetery and cremation services and can assist with pre-planning. To learn more, please call (310) 412-6500.

Death is a part of life, but few people plan for their final goodbyes. However, planning ahead for your final arrangements can help alleviate tough decisions for your loved ones, like choosing a cemetery, an appropriate interment locations, or planning cremation services. Pre-planning can even help to relieve some of the financial burdens on the family members who are left behind.

Watch this video to learn more about the importance of planning for a goodbye. Advanced medical directives, pre-purchased interment rights in a cemetery space, and funeral pre-planning can all be tremendously comforting to loved ones after you’re gone.

At Inglewood Park Cemetery, we can help you make decisions about cemetery and memorial services to take the burden off your loved ones. Contact our cemetery in the Los Angeles area today by calling (310) 412-6500.